Chapter 12: Everybody Loves Harry
The eight students remained in the living area chatting over lighter conversation. Even though it was Harry's edict that they forget about the troubled world around them, he was having a hard time finding interest in the conversation. Instead he watched as several Order members came and left the house, none of which had been Remus Lupin.
It wasn't until Ginny pointedly called out to Harry that he steered his attention back to the group. She was explaining that everyone came to Grimmauld Place in order to throw him a surprise party. But since the surprise had been foiled by the attack, the new plan was to have the party that night after the Order members finished contacting the other students.
Madam Pomfrey had also stopped in to check on Harry and insisted that she apply new bandages around his shoulder. Harry reluctantly agreed but decided to use the opportunity to find out how the Dursleys were getting along; the fussy witch gave a sigh of frustration as she explained. Apparently Vernon and Petunia were in perfectly good health, but where in such a state of fear at being in a wizard's home that they absolutely refused to leave their rooms. Harry saw a unique irony in that. She then explained that Dudley wouldn't suffer any permanent damage from his head injury but was an even more insolent patient than Harry.
The students ate a small but late lunch together and eventually Grimmauld Place started to fill with people for Harry's birthday. Tonks was the first to arrive and she was happy to inform the students that there no more attacks, and all the remaining OWL results were delivered safely.
By seven o' clock the house was buzzing with people, and it was obvious that things were about to get underway. This only made the absence of Remus that much more apparent to Harry. Molly Weasley had kept everyone out of the kitchen for the past hour while she and the elves made preparations for the party, and they were nearly complete. Fred and George along with the rest of Weasley clan, minus Percy, had shown up, and pretty much every member of the Order as well; though Severus Snape was a noticed and appreciated absence. When Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall arrived shortly before eight o' clock, the celebration started.
Harry couldn't help but smile as he watched Dobby float a huge birthday cake onto the dining room table. Mrs. Weasley and Winky followed closely behind with the huge feast. Food has a way of drawing crowds and the dining area and kitchen were quickly filled with people seeking out the different cuisines.
The festivities were disrupted when a loud explosion clattered from the living room followed by the sound of Moody yelling something fierce. Harry ran through the kitchen door to investigate and broke into fits of laughter when he realized what happened. In true prankster style, Fred and George had officially christened the party with the latest gag from their joke shop. The room was filled with large floating eyeballs that exploded into smaller eyeballs whenever anyone approached them. Ironically enough that someone at the moment happened to be Alastor Moody. The eyeballs were spinning madly until they caught sight of the person nearest them, at which point they stared fixedly, even turning their gaze to follow the person around the room.
"Hey Harry! What do you think of our little birthday present?" George called out. "Yeah we call them Mad's Eyes!" Fred followed.
Harry about fell on the floor laughing, Mad-Eye was clunking around the room on his wooden leg furiously trying to grab as many of the floating eyes as he could. His efforts had only garnered several more explosions that led to many smaller eyes floating in the room and a smattering of squished eyeballs on his clothes. When the old auror realized his attempts were futile he turned his wrath onto the twins.
Suddenly Harry, and the large group of people that had joined him, were laughing even harder. Moody whipped out his wand and had the twins transfigured before they knew what hit them. The angered man transfigured George into a beater's bat and Fred into a bludger and used one to beat the other around the room. Maybe the funniest thing about it was that Moody left a tuft of Fred's red hair on the top of the bludger, and a tuft of George's red hair on the base of the beater's bat.
"Like my gift to Harry boys? I call it a Red-Headed Headache." Moody yelled out over the laughter.
Harry would have laughed harder, but the shaking was starting to make his shoulder sore. A moment later Dumbledore joined the gathering and instructed Moody to return the twins to their human state. Moody did so but made sure that he returned them while George as the bat was in mid swing to clobber Fred the bludger; resulting in a final collision that left more than one person wincing.
"That was a bloody wicked time, if you can get past being whacked by a bludger bat!" Fred offered.
George chimed in right after, "Speak for yourself brother, my head is killing me, but I see the potential for yet another new product."
"Look at this lot, they think this is funny!" Fred motioned to the staring crowd.
"They haven't a clue if they think Old Mad Eye's gotten the best of us!" George added.
"Sure, right, whatever you two say," said Ron. "Looks to me like Professor Moody knocked the best of you across the living room. Maybe we can get the Gryffindor Quiddich team new Fred and George replica beater bats and bludgers."
"Don't be so quick to talk little Ronikens, I could still take you on the pitch even if I was only the beater bat." George said.
"Of course you would George, then again, it doesn't require all that much to outdo our little brother." Fred finished.
"Seeing you two prats fly around as a red headed bludger and bat is funny enough, but then having the sac to think you can take me on the pitch, now that's comedy." Ron retorted
"Enough, all of you, Ronald you watch your mouth!" Mrs. Weasley scolded. "I don't know why you two feel the need to always pull some prank whenever you're amongst friends. I swear!"
"Ah mum, lighten up. Good ole Harry here doesn't mind. Do you Har'?" Fred asked.
"Besides, he likes to see that the business continues to produce quality gags." George said. "He was laughing the hardest out of the lot of you"
Harry was still recovering from his laughter, "I don't know guys. I think you might want to consider bringing Professor Moody on as a consultant. It appears that he has a few things to show you yet."
"Likely story Potter." Moody grumbled while his eye spun in his head to stare back at each Mad's Eye that was looking at him.
Mrs. Weasley noticed Harry playing with his bandages that had come a little loose from all the laughing. "Oh Harry dear, let's get you seated and supporting that shoulder." She ushered Harry over to the couch while she announced to the rest of the party, "Everyone sit, and Harry will start opening his birthday presents." The Weasley matron didn't wait for an answer, not that she ever did, and began shooing everyone else over to the couches as well.
As they settled in, the fireplace flared green and Remus Lupin walked out of it. Several of the eyeballs near the fireplace burst into their smaller counter parts at the man's entry and those that didn't turned their gaze toward him.
Remus looked around the room at all the eyeballs and people staring at him. "Ah…well, ok, I see we are keeping an eye on things." Remus blanched at his dry joke.
"Remus!" Harry called, excited to finally see the man. "Did you manage to get my stuff from the Dursleys'?"
"It's good to see you again too Harry. Yes I'm doing very well, thank you for asking; Happy Birthday by the way."
Harry didn't falter under the man's sarcasm. "Glad to here it. So how's my stuff, you know from my room."
Remus looked up from the eager young man and began speaking to the crowd as he made his way through the house. "Sorry I wasn't able to get here sooner, been out taking care of a few things; been a hectic day." Remus looked back at Harry, "I believe Dobby was taking care of moving all your belongings, but I did go and gather up anything he might have left behind on your nightstand." Remus shot Harry a wink and smile.
"Excellent!" Harry responded.
"Oh Remus welcome back, there's food and cake in the kitchen. Hurry and get yourself situated we're about to let Harry open his gifts." Mrs. Weasley said.
Remus left the room and everyone turned back to Harry to watch him open his presents. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were the first to bring forward their gift. Harry could already tell that the soft package was another jumper. When he opened it, he found a brilliant red sweater inside but instead of having the traditional "H" sewn into it a gold phoenix was there instead. Mrs. Weasley smiled down at him and gave him a not so bone-crunching hug on account of his injury.
"Oh Harry dear, I know I usually send you mince pies for your birthday, but being as you are here with us this year and not at your relatives, I thought you'd enjoy this more; Happy Birthday."
Harry smiled and returned the hug with his good arm. "Thank you so much Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, I really love it."
"That's a sharp sweater you got there Harry." Remus called out as he walked back into the living room with a plate full of food. "Nice Gryffindor colors."
Seamus gave Harry his gift next. It was a poster from the Quiddich World Cup they attended two summers ago. It had a picture of each team that participated in the tournament partitioned into different quadrants of the poster. The players in the pictures where flying around their area and jeering at each other. Dean then gave Harry a box of Bernie Bots Every Flavor Jelly Beans and some Chocolate Frogs, which Ron took the liberty of sampling.
Ginny and Hermione walked over and sat on each side of Harry as they presented their gift.
"We know that you never replaced the one you broke during the Tri-Wizard Tournament, so Hermione and I thought that you could use a replacement." Ginny said with a smile.
Harry opened the small box and saw a new watch inside. The silver and gold watch looked rather expensive and Harry was overwhelmed by the exquisite gift. "Th-thank you! It's really nice, but…"
"Oh shush up Harry, it wasn't that expensive, besides I think you're going to find it really useful this year." Hermione leaned in closer to him to whisper in his ear, "It's charmed so that you can inform everyone about the times of the DA meetings this year instead of using the coin."
Harry's eyes grew even wider. "Did you do the charms on the watch?" He whispered back to her.
"Well, Ginny and I had a little help, but I was the one who actually performed them." She said.
"I absolutely love it, thank you both so much!"
Tonks came dancing up next. "Hey Harry. Open mine! Open mine!" Tonks was sporting a nice shade of blue hair this evening and for some odd reason it seemed to work for her.
Harry laughed at her jubilance and maybe a little at the blue hair but was elated when he opened his gift and found a dragon hide wand holder. "Wow Tonks, this is awesome!"
"Tell me about it, I wanted to keep it for myself, but I figured you'd be someone who would appreciate it just as much. It's adjustable so you can wear it pretty much anywhere." Tonks screwed up her face a little as she thought about that, "Well, I mean you could where it pretty much anywhere, me I'd tend to keep it somewhere that was easy to get too!" Tonks clapped a couple times as she bounced away back to where Kingsley and Mad-Eye were sitting. She stuck her tongue out at Kingsley as she said, "I told you he'd love it."
Harry really did love it. He kept admiring the holster and suddenly wanted the use of his left arm back so that he could try it on. Moody interrupted his reverie by throwing a package onto Harry's lap. "Listen up boy, if you know what's good for you, you'll take a page out of old Mad Eye's book and make good use of this." Harry opened the package to find a hip flask inside. "I would've got your initials or something inscribed, but what the bloody hell is the point of drinking from nothing but a flask if you're going to go around announcing that it's your flask for the contaminating." Moody winked at Harry with his good eye and clunked back to his seat.
Harry wasn't sure that he was quite paranoid enough to carry a hipflask with him at all times, but he wasn't going to tell Moody that. He really didn't have the desire to be transfigured into a snitch and wind up whizzing around the living room for the rest of his birthday. "Thanks a lot Professor Moody" he said.
"Damn kids keep calling me professor, like I actually taught them for a single day of classes." Moody grumbled.
"Hey Harry," Neville's familiar unconfident voice spoke up, "sorry I didn't wrap this or anything. It's kind of sensitive and I didn't want to risk damaging it." Neville held in his hands one of the most magnificent plants Harry had ever seen. It was about the size of a young Mandrake plant but was more beautifully adorned. It had a solid wooden stalk at its base and then bushed out with deep green leaves so vibrant that they almost had a hint of blue in them. The blooming flowers on the plant were the most remarkable feature. Each blossom was about the size of a fist and was a brilliant blue-silver color. Harry's eyes grew very wide as Neville set the plant onto the table in front of him.
"It's called a Tencella Aticasia (Ten-sel-a A-tic-asia). But its common name is Shimmering Scybiscus (Sky-bisk-us)." Neville said as he stared at the plant. Both Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall sat forward as Neville spoke this. "It's really rare, but it's the properties of the plant that make it special. Neville reached into his pocket and pulled out a vile of milky white liquid.
"The fallen blooms of the plant are soaked in a mixture of its leaves and water and then the mixture is swallowed by the plant's owner. The plant also has some healing properties. You have to prick your finger on the single thorn at the stalk of the plant." Neville gave Harry an apologetic look, "but the plant heals the prick once you do this" he added. "After you drink the mixture and prick a finger the Shimmering Scybiscus will help keep out nightmares and heal certain ailments so long as you sleep with it next to your bed."
Harry didn't know what to say, by now his mouth had fallen open and everyone in the room sat silent. Neville started blushing from all the attention his gift was earning and decided to just keep talking about the plant.
"It requires a lot of attention, but I figured since we share a room at Hogwarts that I could teach you how to care for it and help you look after it. Some herbologists say that the plant actually establishes a bond with its owner, but Grams doesn't believe it."
"Neville I don't know what to say." Harry managed to stammer.
"After sharing a room with you for the past five years I know that you sometimes have nightmares, and with what happened last year…well with the visions at night…" Neville wasn't sure if he could talk about this in general conversation. "Well I thought that you might…I mean…I thought it could help." Neville looked down uncomfortably.
Mrs. Weasley gave a soft whimper and held her hand to her mouth as her chin quivered a little.
"Neville, this is, well, I've never…Thank you so much. I really don't know what to say. I don't think I could have ever imagined such a thoughtful gift." Harry said.
"Well I'm pretty excited about getting to look after it with you. Grams helped me find it so a lot of it is her doing as well." Neville said, as he blushed even more.
"Mr. Longbottom this is quite a remarkable gesture. I, in fact, have only seen one other of these plants before in my life." Dumbledore spoke calmly from his seat. "Quite remarkable indeed."
Neville looked up to the Headmaster and smiled as he sat back down next to Luna who started giggling. "I told you," she said.
Harry hardly noticed as he continued to stare in awe at the gift.
"Told him what Luna?" Ron spoke up.
"I told him that Harry would be speechless because of his gift." Luna said. "Tell him the other property of the plant." Luna nudged Neville in his side as a snort of laughter escaped her.
"H-he doesn't want to know that." Neville chirped.
"Sure he does, Harry's a strapping young man now, he can appreciate it." Luna teased.
Harry looked up to Neville as though he couldn't possibly believe there was more. Dumbledore too had a mischievous smile on his face as he listened to Luna's teasing.
"Erm, well, the dead leaves from the plant can be ground up and used as a cooking spice." Neville answered his face flushed red.
"Tell him the rest, tell him what the spice is used for!" Luna was practically bouncing in her seat.
"Well…the…um spice, it ah, is usually added to food." Neville still dragged on, "Wizards-use-it-to-boost-virility." He rattled off. "It's supposed to be really potent." Neville never looked up as he spoke this.
When Harry heard this he turned as red in the face as Neville did. Luna on the other hand burst into laughter along with the twins and Tonks.
"Oy Harry, not having trouble with the ladies are we?" Fred joked.
George shot a sideways look at his twin. "What are you talking about brother, I'm sure Harry here is a stallion. Probably just has so many ladies he needs the extra pep for those long nights." George deadpanned.
This managed to rile up the laughter in the room even more. At least Harry had Neville to share the embarrassment with, although the coy young wizard was starting to chuckle as well.
"Fred and George Weasley! You stop harassing poor Harry this minute. You're embarrassing him, look at him he's as red as a beet." Mrs. Weasley scolded her sons.
Tonks came over to Harry and put a consoling arm around him. She started rubbing his back lightly and pulled him towards her in a comforting embrace. "You know Harry, sometimes leg wounds, like the deep one you took at your relatives place... well" Tonks turned her head down solemnly, "sometimes those wounds can cause nerve damage. You…you haven't had any problems finding your salute in the morning since then have you?" Tonks managed to keep a straight face as she consoled Harry against her chest.
Harry on the other hand saw straight where this was going and pushed away from her as she spoke again. Tonks looked down at Harry blushing red again, "Cause I know some really wicked recipes you might want to try with your new spice to fix that problem right up." Tonks burst into laughter and the twins followed suit.
Molly again came to Harry's aid as she pulled Tonks away from the grimacing birthday boy. The room was still pretty loud with laughter when Mrs. Weasley started to yell at Tonks.
"Nymphadora Tonks! Don't you encourage them, the poor boy is going to die of embarrassment." The Weasley matron leaned in a little closer to Tonks, "You don't really have those recipes do you." She didn't realize the laughter had quieted down as she was talking. "I mean you know after seven kids the Mr. and I might be interested in some new twists to the diet. Something with a little boost for the Mr. if you know what I mean.
Unfortunately for Arthur Weasley, the room had managed to quiet down enough for the last part of Molly's conversation with Tonks. Now the oldest male Weasley was redder than Harry.
Harry felt bad, but was relieved to see that the attention was no longer squarely on him. The Weasley children on the other hand suddenly lost the humor in the situation.
"Aw gross mum!" Ron winced, "Do you have to talk about that, Harry doesn't need to hear this. I mean really it is his birthday you know!"
"No kidding mum, that's awful, we don't need to know this stuff." Ginny added.
Fred and George for the first time in their lives had absolutely straight faces. "It's just not right mum." Fred said.
"I'm going to be scarred for life; I hope they have someone to counsel my damaged psyche at St. Mungo's." George said.
Mrs. Weasley joined the duo of blushing people at the party. "Oh Arthur dear, I'm sorry, I didn't think anyone would overhear me." Molly used an earned privilege of motherhood and passed the blame onto her children. "You children stop fussing at your dad, he doesn't need you lot carrying on like that with so much on his mind."
"Honestly mum, I don't think dad's too concerned about our fussing right now." Ron said.
In true Dumbledore fashion, the old Headmaster spoke up to break the tension, "Well Mr. Potter how about you open my gift next. I hope it is too your liking." The man handed a square present to Harry.
Harry was still upset with the professor, and at a different setting he probably would not have been gracious about the gesture. But considering the surrounding audience he didn't think his anger with the man was worth letting on at the moment. "Thank you sir." Harry said.
Harry opened the gift and saw that it was a book on Occlumency, one that didn't look at all like the book he got from Hermione. "Simple Ways to Clear Your Mind by Harold Haggerty" the title read.
"I thought you might find it a useful alternative to the poor arrangement of your previous learning situation. As that was my fault I thought I would attempt to make amends for my regretful error." Dumbledore said with a fixed stare at Harry.
"Should you ever find that you have any questions, know that my door will always be open to you. Even if the questions wander out of the realm of Occlumency" Dumbledore took a look around the room and looked back to Harry. "I am sorry Harry, I can only hope that I never do wrong by you again, though I am afraid that may not be the case." The Headmaster returned to his seat.
It was strange how the room could go from robust laughter to dead silence so quickly. No one in the room was blushing any longer and most were sitting with their mouths open. Harry on the other hand wasn't happy at all. It was one thing that the Headmaster had talked so openly about Harry learning Occlumency. But that he would apologize like that, making such a show in front of everyone really pissed him off. It was bad enough that this would cause more unwanted attention, but the setting prevented Harry from yelling all of his angry thoughts at the old man.
Unphased by the awkward moment Luna walked up to Harry, "Here Harry open mine next." Harry released his glare at the Headmaster and opened the gift. It was a black leather bound book with no writing or markings on the cover. Harry studied it quizzically and thought that it looked like a really large diary. "It's a book about Thestrals. It talks a lot about why wizards can see them after they've seen someone die. I thought you might want to take a look." Luna said.
"Um…thanks Luna, that's really thoughtful." It was the best compliment Harry could think of over the somewhat odd notion of the present.
Luna smiled at Harry, "You're really quite welcome…stallion." She giggled and went back to her seat.
Hermione leaned in next to Harry and suggested that he take some time to lay down upstairs. Harry made to argue, but the combined efforts of Molly, Ginny and Hermione were too much to argue against. Remus agreed with the ladies as he came next to Harry's side.
"Ladies, why don't you let me help Harry up to his room." The girls made to argue but Remus spoke up before they could get started. "Madam Pomfrey will be around soon and it's best that we don't have another crowded scene in Harry's room when she arrives." Remus said.
The girls reluctantly agreed and left to join the rest of the people making their way to the kitchen for some more cake and juice. The living room was starting to clear out as Remus helped Harry up from the couch.
"H-Harry" a voice called out from the bottom of the stairs.
Remus and Harry both looked over to see who it was. Standing on the bottom step Dudley Dursley was glancing around nervously at the witches and wizards still occupying the living room.
"Dudley!" Harry said as soon as he saw his cousin. "Is everything ok? Your mum and dad aren't hurt or sick or anything? Do you feel alright?"
"N-no, I mean there's nothing wrong. Dad's nerves are a little shaky still, and Mum's not saying much, but they're not sick or anything I don't think." Dudley said still looking around at the people in the living room.
"I just, well I know today's your birthday. I was going to give these to you at the house but…" Dudley trailed off. "Here." Dudley extended a box to Harry which he couldn't take due to his injured shoulder. Remus stepped up next to Harry to accept the package but Dudley flinched away at his approach.
"What's the matter Dudley, this is Remus he was a professor at my school." Harry said.
"Professor? But I thought you said that he was a…but he was the one who came to house, the growl you know." Dudley stammered.
Harry realized the cause of his cousin's trepidation. "I told you Dud, he's perfectly safe in fact I would, rather I have, trusted him with my life. I would trust him to protect yours as well."
Remus stepped forward a little slower this time and extended his hand. "Remus Lupin" he said.
Dudley nervously studied the man for a second and then moved forward. He didn't quite reach out his hand fully but extended it nonetheless. Remus took the boy's hand and shook it. "D-Dudley…Dursley" Harry's cousin said as he shook back.
Remus reached forward for Harry's gift. "I'll take that for Harry, he can't quite manage it right now with only the one good arm." Remus said with a genuine smile. "Should I open it for you Harry?"
Remus tore open the wrapping on the box and fiddled with the cardboard lid until he got it open. He was the first to look into it and his faced screwed up with confusion as he examined the contents. Apparently giving up on what the gift was he leaned the open box toward Harry for him to see. Inside were two leather boxing gloves.
"Wow Dudley, those are wicked. Take them out of the box Remus so I can have a look." Harry said.
For the first time since his appearance Dudley was smiling. "I figured that you might be able to use them for our sparring. But I guess with your shoulder like that you won't be able to train anymore." Dudley said a little dejected.
"Why wouldn't Harry be able to train?" Remus asked. "As soon as the bones grow back in his shoulder he'll be good as new."
Dudley's mouth almost fell off his face when he heard this, "What do you mean grow back his bones, that's impossible!" Dudley argued. "So what are you telling me, he's got no bones in his shoulder right now."
"That's right. With a break as severe as the one Harry suffered, it's easier to just remove the bones and grow them back, rather than mending the breaks." Remus said.
"It's about the foulest tasting stuff in the world too, skel-a-grow." Harry added.
"Get off; you two are trying to play a prank on me." Dudley said.
"It's the honest truth." Harry said, "Pretty painful process as well." Harry looked back to the gloves Remus was holding. "I can't wait to give them a try, I'm really going to whoop on you with gloves that actually fit me."
"Please, you've a long way to go before you get the better of the Inter-School Heavyweight Boxing Champion." Dudley puffed up.
"What did I tell you I was going to do to you if you said that to me one more time?" Harry threatened playfully.
Remus interrupted before Dudley could reply. "Why don't we take this conversation upstairs fellas? Harry needs to lie down. I'm sure Harry won't mind if you join us Dudley."
Dudley looked around nervously at the people watching them from the living room. "Erm, maybe I should be getting back to Mum and Dad, they might need me or something."
"Oh come on Dudley, you'll be perfectly fine, I promise you, and so will Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. No one is going to hurt you here." Harry said.
The three of them made their way up the stairs and into Harry's bedroom. Dudley waited behind Remus as the man helped Harry settle back into bed. From behind the trio two pops came followed by Dudley screaming and running to hide behind Harry's bed. Harry watched the scenario unfold and smiled to his two elvish friends.
"Dudley honestly, for the Inter-school Heavyweight Boxing Champion you're a bit of coward." Harry said but Dudley didn't make a move from his hiding spot. "This is Dobby and Winky, they are elves and are friends of mine. They won't hurt, no one here will."
Dudley peered over Harry and at the elves who were both beaming at Harry calling them his friends.
"Did you say elves?" Dudley said. "You're all nutters here, I can't take much more of this. What do they do, they don't bite or anything do they?"
A series of offended looks made their way around the room at the ignorant muggle's remark. "Elves is not biting! Why is Harry Potter's friend thinking we wants to bite him?" Dobby said.
"Winky does not want to bite anyone sir. Harry Potter would not want her too." Winky said with concern.
"Bloody hell they're talking Potter!" Dudley screamed.
Remus could barely muffle his laughter at the whole situation. "Dobby, Winky is there something you needed?" he asked.
"We is wanting to give Master his presents for Harry Potter's Happy Birthday!" Dobby said excitedly.
Winky was grinning as well. "Winky is getting Master his own dress! Now Harry Potter can be pretty too!" Winky bounded over to Harry with such excitement that she ignored the cowering Dudley behind. Winky laid down a dress that was paisley printed like hers, but conveniently larger to fit Harry.
Remus wasn't stifling his laughter any longer. "Oh Harry, it's beautiful. That is a lovely gift Winky I'm sure that Harry would look just delectable in it." He snorted.
"Dobby is having new socks for Harry Potter, Dobby is finding ones that is matching Harry Potter's new dress!" Dobby set one blue and one yellow sock on top of the dress. Fashionably enough, one sock matched the yellow fabric of the dress while the other matched the blue paisleys on it.
Remus could barely stand up he was laughing so hard. "Oh Merlin…oh it's too much…Tonks, Harry wait till Tonks hears this…" The tears were starting to run down the man's red face. Even Dudley was starting to laugh from his cower.
Dobby and Winky just smiled brightly at all the laughter. It was obvious the two elves were ignorant to the situation and just assumed everyone was so happy because of their gifts.
"Shut it, the two of you!" Harry snapped. "Remus I swear if you tell Tonks I'll…" Harry couldn't think a fitting threat, "and you Duddums, maybe you'll get another tail after all."
Remus kept laughing but Dudley straightened right out. "Don't worry Dudley, Harry won't be giving you a new tail any time soon. Not while I'm around." Remus said as his laugh winded down. "…too much, I'll leave you two alone for a moment…with your new dress!"
Remus gave another round of laughs and walked out of the room leaving the odd foursome behind. Harry didn't want to let in, but even he thought the whole ordeal was a bit funny.
Harry yelled behind the man, "Remus, I swear if you tell anyone about this I'll…," he still couldn't think of anything, "I'll…not let you play with my pensieve." He knew it sounded really childish, but in the hurry to find a threat it just came out that way.
Remus poked his head back into the room from the doorway. With an evil smile, "Being as I have still got the pensieve, you're going to have to come up with a better threat than that." Lupin pulled his head out of the door and shut it before Harry could respond.
"Remus! REMUS!!" Harry yelled in vain at the door.
Winky and Dobby were still standing at the end of Harry's bed, their bright eyes staring merrily at their master. Harry sighed and looked down to the elves.
"Thank you both for my gifts, err…the colors are very nice." Harry said.
The elves looked at each other and smiled. Dobby spoke to his counterpart saying, "Dobby is telling Winky Harry Potter likes those colors." Winky smiled back at Dobby, "Dobby is knowing Master Potter sir very well." She said. Without another word both elves popped out of the room as quickly as they came in.
This left the room empty to just Dudley and Harry. It was kind of awkward but with all the recent upheaval in both of their lives it didn't affect them as much.
"Why are there elves here? They don't teach at your school too do they?" Dudley asked.
The question was so absurd that Harry was reminded just how muggle his cousin was. "No they aren't professors Dudley, you should know how ridiculous that is. They work for me, but they are my friends as well. Dobby, the one with all of the socks, he saved my life during the attack at the house. He was also the one that brought you and your parents here." Harry looked at the shock on his cousin's face.
"Work for you Potter! That's a likely story. I suppose you're going to tell me this place is yours as well?" Dudley said, apparently his shock wasn't in response to any of the substance in Harry's response.
Harry was sure he wasn't interested in letting Dudley know about his financial status. "Always missing what counts Dud." Harry paused to think about how to change the subject. "So your parents are holding up all right. I figured that Uncle Vernon would be kicking his way out of here by now."
"Like I said Dad's a bit shaky. I don't think he's going to let you keep him here much longer. He's only let that pushy nurse in because she's been giving me medicine for my headaches. I don't know what's wrong with Mum, she just sits there staring off. She's only spoken a few times since the attack."
Harry was beginning to realize that maybe he hadn't thought through all of the consequences of bringing the Dursleys here. His only thought at the time was to keep them safe. But now, listening to Dudley, he realized that he never considered whether or not his relatives would be unhappy at Grimmauld Place. It was then that it struck him, he had done the same thing to the Dursleys, forced the same type of decision on them under the justification of safety, as Dumbledore had done to him. The Dursleys were trapped, and if Harry wanted to take it so far, against their will. And for what, their safety? What would it matter if they were safe but were also miserable? No, Harry knew how awful that was, and even if it did seem like some type of karmic opportunity to get revenge on them for the abuse and mistreatment he received from them, he wasn't going to do it that way.
"Dudley I'm sorry that you and Aunt Petunia and Uncle Dursley were attacked, and that your house was pretty much destroyed. And I'm sorry that your parents are so unhappy here. They're not being held against their will, well they are for now, but only until another home can be arranged." Harry said.
"Another home? But why can't we go back to Privet Drive?" Dudley whined.
"You can't Dud, the wizards who attacked us know that was my home, and if you go back there they will attack you all again – they'll kill you." Harry lowered his head, he remembered his epiphany back at Privet Drive. There is only one world, one with Voldemort in it, or one without. More now than ever did that hold true for Harry.
"But why would they attack us?" Dudley was almost frantic. "They were after you, they won't come back if your not there."
"They'll attack you all just to get to me, to hurt me. They would attack you for no other reason than because your not wizards, your muggles, and they hate muggles. But they will attack you especially because you are muggles who are related to me. And they hate me more than they hate muggles." Harry's tones were emotionless. The guilt and anger that he felt were so confounding neither emotion could win out as he spoke. "I'm sorry Dudley, I know it's not fair. Trust me, I know more than you can understand."
"What are muggles? And if we move to another home won't they just find us again?" Dudley was as pale as a ghost.
"Muggles are what wizards call people who are not wizards, and there are ways to make sure that they can't find you all. Besides, I doubt that they will actually search you out, it's just that they would attack you if you showed up right beneath their noses." Harry hoped this would ease his cousin's mind a little.
"What ways, they found you at Privet Drive, why wouldn't they find us again?" Dudley argued.
"That was different; the wrong people were making sure that Privet Drive was safe. I can't really explain it all to you, just know that the same people won't be in charge this time. You will be safe as long as you don't go back to Privet Drive." Harry reassured.
"But…what if…how are we going to get another house, Mum and Dad won't pay for it, and besides it was your like that ruined our home to begin with." Dudley said. At this point the poor muggle boy was more trying to convince Harry that they didn't have to leave than he was concerned with how another home could be acquired.
Harry had been thinking about this since he realized that he wouldn't keep the Dursleys against their will. "The Ministry of Magic, it's like Parliament, they are going to supply you and your parents a new home." Harry lied. Even though he knew that he easily make Fudge agree to such terms, Harry would never give the Minister the satisfaction of helping him. He was going to pay for their new home, and he was going to make sure that it was safe. He just wasn't going to let Dudley, or his aunt and uncle know either of those things.
"But…" Dudley was out of arguments. "We can't protect ourselves against them." It came out as a whimper almost a cry, "I tried, they attacked mum, and I hit one of them, but…there were too many, and before I could do anything else they were already on me. We can't protect ourselves…" Dudley voice faded out.
For a day that started bad with the news of students' deaths, and then became so great during the party, it was finishing just as poorly. Harry knew that Dudley was right, and the guilt of it was terrible. "Dudley, if you hadn't taken out that Death Eater we would have all been done for. You're right, you can't protect yourselves, but I will do whatever it takes to make sure that you don't have to."
Apparently Harry admitting that Dudley had helped save the day returned some spirit in the boy. "I thumped him good huh?" He said with a small smile.
"I guess so, he was out cold." Harry replied with a smile of his own, though it felt forced. Harry paused, "So what do you think about us keeping up with the boxing and weights once my shoulder heals up?" It was the only other topic Harry could talk to his cousin about and it was obvious that a change in topic was necessary.
"What do you mean, how are we going to train without all the equipment?" Dudley said.
"I think we might be able to arrange something. What's the good of having a wizard for a cousin if he can't use magic to get things done?" Harry said.
"Well, I guess if we had the equipment and a space to use it I would still be up for it." Dudley replied. "How long do you think it will take to get everything set up?"
"We should be able to find a space and get your equipment here before my shoulder heals, it's really not that hard to do."
"Well at least it will give me something to do, I've been going out of my mind with boredom. Maybe I can help set things up when everything gets here." Dudley said.
"That would mean that you're going to be around wizards, and elves, and magic." Harry warned and his cousin seemed a little troubled about it. "You can think about it and let me know. You should probably get back to your parents, they'll think us freaks have turned you into a blast ended skrewt if you stay away too long." Dudley's face screwed up in confusion. "Don't ask what it is Dud, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"I think I might believe anything after all I've seen over the last few days." Dudley said.
"Just make sure you tell your parents about the house and that they won't be kept here longer than necessary. Maybe they can start thinking about what they want and how they want it set up. It might give them something to do. Be sure to add that the Ministry will only be willing to get them a house equivalent to the one they had." Harry could see his Uncle Vernon planning out a home just short of a palatial estate otherwise. "I'd tell them all this stuff myself, but I very much doubt that either want to see, much less speak, with me right now."
Dudley left from his spot next to Harry and made his way for the door. "I think I might be up for being around the, um, well whoever is going to bring the equipment over."
"That's good Dud, I'm looking forward to trying out these new gloves." Harry said as his cousin made his way out the door.
Harry watched the door shut behind Dudley. He heard the noise from everyone still downstairs fill into his room and then die away behind the closed door. The silence was a little unnerving at first. So much had happened over the past two days that now when Harry was lying there in bed, with nothing to do but rest, he had a nervous feeling that he was forgetting to do something important. He began to think through everything that had him worried. The Dursleys were safe, so were Dobby and Winky, he found out about as much as he was going to regarding the attacks, he knew that Remus had his pensieve. Harry tried but couldn't think of anything else. Of course, Voldemort was still out there, but Harry was still determined not to worry about that today.
The thought reminded Harry that he needed to continue with his training and his studying. Maybe he would get Dobby to bring his books up to him so that he could do some reading, that new Occlumency book Dumbledore gave him was one he was really interested in starting. "And what was up with Dumbledore making that big scene over his apology." Harry wondered. "Did he think that I was going to be all happy with him because he was willing to admit he was wrong in front everyone?"
Now that he had time to just let his thoughts wander, he didn't mind the solace as much. Over the summer he had so many long periods where he was by himself that he was starting to feel more comfortable that way, or so it seemed to him at the moment. His mind was finding its routine, and it was refueling his desire to continue training.
Just as he was starting to lay out a plan for the next few days, the sounds of the people downstairs filled his room again as Ron opened the door and entered. "I saw your cousin leave and thought you might want a bit of company. Not to mention that I still have to give you your birthday present."
"And I was just thinking how nice it was to finally have a moment to myself." Harry half-teased.
"I can go you know I passed up Moody threatening the twins about how he's going to transfigure them into more Quiddich equipment to lull around here with you." Ron joked. "Nice dress by the way and matching socks to boot! I think the colors really bring out your eyes."
"Shut it Ron. Bloody house elves." Harry murmured.
"It's not really yours is it? Though it's not like you'd be hiding some minx in here from us."
"Winky gave it to me for my birthday. Apparently you should never give an elf a gift that you wouldn't want for yourself. Otherwise, you'll be getting something of the sort for every holiday for the rest of your life." Harry said as he moved the dress off the end of his bed.
Ron let out a restrained snort, "Well I'm not sure that my gift can top that, I mean with the matching socks and all."
"If your gift includes poking fun at me for the rest of the night, maybe you shouldn't even offer. You're lucky I've only got one good shoulder." Harry said, but he still held his smile.
"Don't get all sensitive on me; otherwise I might start thinking you need to wear a dress."
"Sorry, I know that Remus is game planning with Tonks right now about how to properly embarrass me over it." Harry said.
"Oh goodness Harry, you better hope they don't get the twins in on it, they'll wind up making another new product line." Ron said. "Every joke has product potential with those two."
"Great, I couldn't think of anything I'd rather happen, maybe Voldemort's available for the weekend so we can see if he wants to get in on the plans." Harry said smugly.
Ron winced at the name, "Do you have to throw around his name so casually? I mean I understand that we shouldn't be afraid to say it but it's not the sort of thing you throw around in everyday conversation."
"Well I'm sure he has no problem saying my name in whatever demeaning and foul manner he pleases or Dumbledore's for that matter, why shouldn't I take the same freedoms?"
"I guess so, but you might want to consider that it's not something you'd usually speak over dinner conversation." Ron was casual as he spoke, but he didn't seem to relent on the issue.
"Why, why shouldn't it be? Voldemort seems to be a part of everything else in my life, destroying everything, hurting everyone, killing my family, why should I stop short of letting him ruin a good meal too!" Harry screamed. It wasn't so much at Ron's argument with him. His anger was more at the mounting frustration that he couldn't get through one day without that bastard soiling some part of it.
"Take it easy mate, I didn't mean anything, it was more of a joke. I didn't realize it was so important to you. Besides you're the one who said we weren't going to talk about him today, and you were the one who brought up his name." Ron said apologetically. "Listen, it's your birthday and I really came up here to give you your gift. It's kind of important to me and I don't want us to have a row before we talk about this. If you're mad I can come back."
Harry knew that he didn't mean to yell at Ron, his friend just happened to be the person on the receiving end of his tirade. Even more, Ron was right; it was Harry that first mentioned Voldemort's name. He wasn't sure if that made him more or less angry.
"Sorry about that Ron, I didn't mean it so much at you." Harry said. "I'm fine, I promise," he said truthfully.
Ron suddenly looked nervous, "I didn't want to mention it downstairs because I don't think mum or maybe even Dumbledore would approve. It's not something that you can open, it's more of an idea I had. Something that I thought would be important. You know, I've always felt bad since the argument we had while you were in the triwizard tournament and I thought this might help."
"Ron." Harry interrupted, "You're rambling on. Just take a moment, take as long as you want, obviously I'm not going anywhere." Harry motioned his eyes and head downward at himself to signal his bedridden situation.
"Sorry Harry, it's just that, well this is more of a…gesture…well not really, it's like a ceremony I guess." Ron screwed up his face as he realized how awkward that sounded. "Boy does that sound wrong, don't go thinking I'm proposing here mate, my perspectives haven't changed that much! I don't know how to exactly describe it, in fact, I'm not sure if you're going to like it." Ron offered an upward glance to Harry.
The fact that Ron just mentioned that his gift might be like a ceremony wasn't what he was expecting to hear. "I don't think you need to be so nervous Ron, you are competing with a dress and matching socks you know – not all that hard to beat." Harry said with a smile.
"Right, well you could wear the dress during this if you really wanted to" Ron let his nervous expression fall, "I was going to get you something ordinary, you know like a broom kit or another Quiddich book, but after all we've been through," Ron's serious tone and look made it clear that the all that he was referring too meant more than just sneaking around under invisibility cloaks and talking about chocolate frog cards. "and especially with what happened at the Ministry last year, well I wanted to give you something more than that, something that…means more. A lot of things changed for me last year after the Department of Mysteries, knowing that someone is trying to kill you will do that, you know."
Suddenly being teased about getting a dress wasn't so important to Harry.
Ron continued, "So I've spent almost all summer trying to figure out what that 'something more' could be." Ron looked like he was embarrassed to admit he had been studying over the summer, "but once I had an idea, or rather, once I had the idea, I spent all summer looking into how to do it." Ron smiled at Harry and let out a little laugh, "You know once I got started, it was real hard to write you anything interesting over the summer, I wanted to tell you about what I was doing, but aside from Quiddich and talking to Hermione, this gift was it. Sorry if my letters got boring after a while."
"It wasn't until I talked to Bill about the idea, and he told me that there was something like what I had decided on that I knew exactly what to do. But Bill was reluctant to tell me how to do it, apparently there is a strong association with Egyptian magic and the dark arts, and he said that I wouldn't be willing to put in the required research to fully understand it. He thought that I should just get you a broom kit." Ron gave a smirk.
"Finally I convinced him that I would do the research. Actually I just showed him all the work I had already done and I guess he thought it was a lot – it seemed like a lot to me. I mean don't go expecting me to recite passages from "Egypt, a History" or anything." Ron paused and the smirk left his face. He continued to look at Harry, but he started to wring his hands nervously before he continued. "Bill told me about a…ritual, called Irmanis Sin Sangre, it means 'Brothers without Blood'."
Ron looked down again, he wasn't nervous anymore he was just afraid of what Harry's reaction would be. Ron knew that he was on shaky grounds suggesting any sort of ritual to Harry, especially since the last one his friend suffered was to bring Voldemort back to life.
The fact that Ron's gift had graduated from a ceremony to a ritual didn't ease Harry's mind. The whole conversation seemed a bit odd, Ron saying that he had spent the entire summer studying something wasn't at all like him. Harry also noticed that Ron appeared different, well his physical characteristic were the same, it was just the look on his face, the way he carried himself. Ron always seemed to have that bright-eyed look. But this Ron didn't have that, he seemed older, and obviously more serious. Harry shook it off. He remembered thinking how different Remus looked when he first saw him. It made him wonder if he was going to think that everyone looked older to him now.
"Did you say a ritual Ron?" Harry asked.
Ron grimaced, the exact topic he was nervous about was the very first thing Harry brought up. "We don't have to do this, I mean, I can still get you a broom kit or something better, something really wicked…" Ron started to say quickly.
Harry could see that Ron was anticipating this reaction from him and it made him feel better about it, at least Ron wasn't so thoughtless to suggest a ritual without understanding the touchiness of such a thing. "It's alright Ron, maybe if you just told me about it first. I mean what does it do, what will happen?" Harry said calmly.
"Well that's sort of the thing, it's not real clear what it does." Ron saw Harry's eyes widen. "I didn't say that right, the point of the ritual is clear, and what will happen is definite, it's just that the thing it does for us isn't exact…" Ron trailed off, "Maybe we shouldn't Harry; it was a stupid idea."
The sadness in Ron's eyes was awful. It was bad enough that Ron's features made him look years older, but now that they carried a heartbroken expression as well. Harry wasn't sure what to do, the ritual didn't sound exactly like something he was interested in doing, rituals in general weren't atop his list of favorite pastimes. But then again Ron still hadn't explained exactly what it was. The only thing he said that made sense to Harry was that the ritual was something about 'Brothers without Blood', and any ritual that specifically said, "without blood" was the best kind of ritual, as far as Harry was concerned.
"Tell me about what the ritual is for, and then how it is performed." Harry suggested. "I don't think that you would suggest a gift to me that you knew I would be appalled to have. So just take your time to tell me what it is."
A glimmer of hope returned to Ron, "It's really simple actually, I was surprised when Bill told me all the details. The Irmanis Sin Sangre is a ritual performed to establish a brotherhood between two unrelated wizards, a magical brotherhood. It was performed by Egyptian wizards when a wizard married into another family, and it was usually done by the groom and the bride's brother. It was a symbol of welcome into the bride's family, but the purpose of the ritual was that the two individuals would share a connection that would strengthen their friendship."
Ron stopped to see if Harry was following. Harry just looked back to at him without blinking. The red head figured it would be best to just continue on.
"Bill gave me a book that explained the whole reason behind it, it's actually pretty interesting." Ron was right back into his babbling mode, "The Egyptian wizards would perform the Irmanis Sin Sangre because they believed that when a wizard married into the family he should be as close as blood, but the rituals that actually made that happen, made him share the same blood as the family, were really nasty and usually called for some sort of human sacrifice. So then they came up with the Irmanis Sin Sangre. Their belief was that if the husband was married to the wife, and bonded with the wife's brother, then the husband was more likely to remain loyal to the family."
Harry had too many questions by now to let Ron gather anymore steam, and from the sound of it Ron was going to break into the entire Egyptian history if not interrupted. "Hold on a sec Ron, why do you want to do some ritual that has to do with wizards marrying into another family. I know that Ginny had a crush on me when she was eleven, but I'm sure she's well past that. And what does this have to do with being loyal to your family; we don't need a ritual for that."
"Sorry, I got carried away with the history of it all." Ron smacked his hand to his head, "Good grief, I'm going to start reciting "Egypt, a History". I guess I've spent too much time reading about this, you know making sure that there were no nasty side effects, or that it wasn't going to bond us together for life or something irreversible like that." Ron tried to reassure Harry. "This has nothing to do with Ginny, or my family for that matter. Actually the reason that the Egyptians used the ritual isn't all that important either." Ron took a deep breath. "This is kind of awkward, I'm sorry about that. I'm always dundering things like this up."
"You don't have to keep apologizing Ron just tell me what it is, we've been best mates since we met, no need to 'dunder' through this." Harry said.
"That's it, exactly what you just said. We have been best mates since we met, that's what this ritual is about. Listen, I know that mum already thinks that you're a part of the family, and the twins are always singing your praise for some reason, and we all know about how Ginny felt. But you and me…well…you're just as much a brother to me as the rest of them, well maybe not Percy. But my gift is about that, I wanted to offer you something that really does make you as much a brother to me as any of them. I guess it's sort of odd, but like I said, after all we've been through it seems right." Ron gave a soft smile, and then ran his hands through his hair.
Harry found himself yet again speechless. He always thought of Ron as a brother, and the Weasleys as his family, but this was more than that, Harry could tell by how Ron was acting. And the fact that Ron had spent so much time studying something that wasn't Quiddich wasn't a small gesture either. "So what happens if we do this?"
"Well, the point of the ritual is that it is supposed to create a type of magical bond between the two friends. The Egyptian wizards wrote about how they thought that the next best thing to blood ties was a magical bond. It's not like we share magic or can read each other's minds or anything. The book said that the bond is unique to each friendship, it is something that the two individuals need the most to strengthen their friendship. It was described as creating a bond of brotherhood."
Ron got that bright eyed and excited look Harry was familiar with as he fished for a piece of paper out of his pocket. As Ron handed it to Harry he said, "When we perform the ritual, the glyph shown on that paper is tattooed onto the back of our arms," Ron turned his right arm forward and pointed his finger at the midpoint of his triceps to indicate where he was talking about. "the magical tie is held to us through the tattoo." Ron had a big smile on his face. "Wicked huh?"
Harry only returned a concerned look. "But how can we do this if we don't even know if it will work, and if it does work we don't even know what the bond will be. I mean what if it's something strange like, we all of sudden get hungry at the same time, or worse what if it's something that could hurt us, like we can't function unless the other person is around. The tattoo is wicked, but how do we know…that it's not something similar to the dark mark?" Harry wanted to take those last words back as soon as they left his mouth.
Ron's smile immediately faded, in fact he looked insulted, "Don't you think I looked into all of this, do you think I would actually offer you a gift that was anything like the dark mark? The books wrote that most wizards after they shared the ritual wouldn't tell what the bond was, most of the times the wizards themselves actually didn't know, but it did state that in all of the times it worked successfully the two men who performed it were like brothers, closer than brothers."
Ron took a breath as he calmed his temper. "Listen mate, this isn't something I'm trying to force on you. It wouldn't be much of a gift if I were. When I started telling you about this I told you that I wanted to find something that was about all that we've been through. After what happened last year, after we went to the Ministry," Ron looked up and stared intently at Harry. "…after Sirius died, I knew that I wanted to do this. I know they took away your family, and they're still trying to. I'm not trying to replace anyone. Regardless of this ritual you are my brother, and if I can do something that will make that more, to make us family, then that's what I want to do. And if it might have the chance to also make us stronger against…them, then I'm willing to do that. What you said earlier today was right, tomorrow we start changing things."
Ron stopped to see if Harry had anything to say. Harry on the other hand was floored. Ron was never the type to be so direct, to talk to him about his family's death, especially Sirius' death. But the fact that Ron had brought it up didn't sting Harry, not like he thought it would.
Before Harry could get any response out Ron spoke up. "I know this is a lot to take in, and I know that rituals aren't the most welcomed things these days. But I spent almost the entire summer studying to make sure that we could do this, what would happen if we did, and if there were consequences. The only way it doesn't work is if the two individuals don't want it, or if the bond isn't safe for them. Bill said that he would have never told me about it otherwise. Even if you decide that you don't want to do it, I think that the…gesture is the best thing I have to offer you. I'm going to be with you through this thing until the end, we don't need the bond to ensure that." Ron said without faltering.
"Ron you need to know things before we do this, things that might change how you feel about going through with this." Harry said.
"This isn't about me, it's about you and me, and I know everything that I need to, to make this decision. I know that you're my best mate, I know that V-Voldemort is going to keep trying to kill you, me, and everyone else, regardless of what we do. I know that this might help. What else is there?" Ron said.
Instead of arguing, Harry let what Ron was saying to him sink in. He felt compelled to go through with the ritual for no other reason than he longed for family, and while the Weasley's had always accepted him as such, he knew this was different. He thought about the arguments Ron and he had gone through in the past. How he hated every minute of them. Ron was always the person Harry could turn to and trust without question. He wouldn't run off to Dumbledore, or tell him what he should do when things were happening to him, he would just be there and be the person that Harry needed at the time, a friend.
"How do we do it?" Harry asked, his expressions were flat and his tone determined.
The shared look between them was a realization that only best friends can share. A gift that comes from developing a strong friendship with someone of not having to say a word, but yet still communicate with each other.
Ron knew the look on Harry and knew he didn't have to ask his best mate if he was sure, or if he had any doubts. Ron replied in the same determined tone, "Give me your wand, and you take mine. There is only a short incantation which we say together. I hold your wand here," Ron pointed to Harry's right bicep, "and you hold my wand here." Ron pointed to his own bicep. The incantation is, 'Akhiy La-ah Nu'man, Akhiy Bill Sihr'."
"Give it here then," Harry said as he motioned for Ron's wand. "Akhiy La-ah Nu'man, Akhiy Bill Sihr' is that how you say it?"
Ron retrieved Harry's wand from the nightstand next to his bed and sat down in front of Harry. "When the tattoo forms on the back of your arm it's supposed to hurt pretty bad. I thought you should know before we do this."
Harry only nodded and then held the tip of Ron's wand against Ron's upper right arm. Ron did the same with Harry's wand to Harry's upper right arm. The position was a bit awkward, but due to Harry's bandaged left shoulder they managed it as best they could. The two young men locked eyes and held the gaze for a long moment. Each was waiting for the other to give the signal.
"Ron," Harry said "Thanks"
The red head only smiled back and both took in their breath to speak the incantation. "Akhiy La-ah Nu'man, Akhiy Bill Sihr" They said together.
At first the reaction was subtle. A soft blue light came from the tip of each wand and each boy could feel the warmth of it against their arms where the wand touched. Neither wizard looked away from the other as the light grew brighter and began to encircle them. Harry felt the pain in his arm begin to grow from an uncomfortable dull sensation, like a muscle ache, to a painful sharp sensation, like a muscle spasm. He wanted to wince, in fact he wanted to pull away from the wand, but Ron wasn't showing any sign of stopping and Harry figured that his friend would indicate when to stop.
The blue light around the young men was large enough to encircle the entire bed, and the light was almost blindingly bright. Harry's dress that he pushed off the side of his bed was flung outside of the light, as well as everything else that was inside the circle. The only thing that remained within the light was the bed they were both sitting on, and the two individuals fighting against the pain in their arms.
When Harry thought he couldn't take it any longer he saw Ron's eyes flinch down to his own arm. When his gaze returned both knew that they had to stop, and so they pulled their wands from each other's arms.
Immediately Ron winced. He pulled up his sleeve and turned his arm in front of him to get as good a look as possible at the back of his arm. Unfortunately for Harry, he wasn't able to rub his arm to ease the pain, or twist himself to get a look at his new tattoo.
"Bloody hell that hurt!" Ron said. "I didn't know how long to hold the incantation, the book only said that we had to say it and then hold the wands there until the marks were completed."
"What do you mean you didn't know how long! I was waiting on you to stop, do you have any idea how much that hurt?" Harry said trying in vain to look over his shoulder at his arm. "Did it say anything about that light?"
"It mentioned that each ritual has a different reaction, some have lights, others create a wind around it. It was pretty wicked huh?" Ron said with excitement. "Harry, what does it look like?" Ron turned so that Harry could get a good look at the back of his arm.
"It's about the size of the face of my watch, and it's outlined in green, but it doesn't look like a tattoo that's painted on your skin. "Harry touched it with his fingers.
"Ow, shit! That hurts!" said Ron as he flinched away from Harry's touch.
"Sorry, like I was saying, it's kind of like your skin has a green outline of the shapes on that paper in it. It's a downward pointed arrow, with a guy squatting in front of it, and there's squiggly line above him." Harry said. "What does mine look like?" Harry struggled to sit forward in his bed so Ron could look behind him.
"It looks like how you described mine, but yours is red." Ron reached around Harry to touch the tattoo causing Harry to flinch in pain.
"Ow you prat!" Harry said.
"Told you it hurt." Ron laughed at his friend.
Harry looked over to Ron, "Well let me have my wand back."
"Right" Ron replied.
When they looked down to their hands both young men stopped and stared in confusion. Harry recognized the wand in his hand as his own eleven inch Holly wand, it even felt right, not like how Ron's wand felt in his hand only a moment ago. Ron noticed too that his wand was now in his hand.
"Wicked!" was all that Ron said.
AN: Please note that I respond to every review in the review section. So if you asked any questions, or just feel the need to read whatever response I might have to your comments take a look. I just don't want to write out three or four pages of responses and have you all not realize they are there.
As always thank you for the reviews and for reading. It took a full week for me to update this time, and will probably take that long for the next update as well. I'm kind of worried about the pace of the story being to slow, so if you have any comments along that line I would appreciate it. I know I left out Hagrid, and there isn't a real good reason for it, but I won't leave it unmentioned in later chapters, the big guy is just busy doing some undetermined thing at this point (it's not that I don't like him or anything like that).
If anyone's interested I have a link to a yahoo group for this fic (called HP_FoL) on my profile page. I know that fanfiction.net had some server problems this week so you can always go there for the update as well. I check it daily so if you have any longer questions or comments you can post them there and I'll do my best to answer them.
~Omagic